Life of Count Rum ford. 315 



party on horseback, for almost as soon as ourselves she had 

 mounted to our apartment. Seeing her reminded me of a ball 

 to take place at the court the following evening, where she was 

 to go, and I to accompany her. She presumed I would not go ; 

 and neither my feelings nor propriety could authorize the act. 

 But a foolish, wild thought having crossed my mind, decided 

 me on going, and I went. On entering the spacious, splendid 

 halls, the first duty was to pay court to crowned heads, those 

 in question, the Elector and Electrice, which ceremony passed, 

 we seated ourselves. Count Taxis, as one of the young persons 

 generally present at court balls, perceiving us, came up to speak 

 to us. In looking at me with considerable attention, as he 

 inquired after my health, particularly to know how I found 

 myself after the ill turn in the Garden, he suddenly turned 

 away his head with a singular expression, beginning at the same 

 time an animated conversation with the Countess. 



" Without exactly hearing what was said, I had reason to 

 think myself not foreign from the subject, they frequently 

 casting on me their eyes. In this supposition I was soon con- 

 firmed, the Countess going to take leave of the Electrice, then 

 coming and saying to me that we were to return home, I being 

 too ill to be out. ' Yes,' replied Count Taxis, being still near 

 us, 4 you ought not to have come.' 'What,' I said, looking 

 him in the face, l when I came on purpose to thank you for 

 your kindness of yesterday, are you not glad to see me ? ' He 

 making me no reply, I consoled myself with fancying he looked 

 affected. We soon found our carriage and reached home. 



" The ball-dress quitted, and I a little rested, I was tempted 

 to follow my two friends, my father and the Countess, she 

 being still with us, to the tcte-a-tete supper-table. I went, but 

 neither partook nor stayed long, quitting them without giving a 

 reason, leaving them to think, if they might, that it was with 

 an intention to return. On the contrary, I went to my room, 

 summoned my maid, desired her to prepare my bed, and assist 

 me in getting into it, I being so violently seized with a fit of 

 ague as to be nearly unable to help myself. The girl, having 

 executed my orders, was for running to inform my father and 



